Whitney Matheson is a columnist for the USATODAY.com Life section. Her weekly Pop Candy column is a rundown of the joys and terrors of pop culture. (See the Pop Candy archive.)

Talk live to Whitney about today's culture scene, and get her take on what's hot and what's not. See previous transcripts here.

Comment from Whitney Matheson:
I'm back! I hope you're all having a fantastic week -- as soon as this chat ends, I'm contemplating ordering a P'zone. Am I totally losing it? Has anyone tried one of these contraptions? Do tell.
Send me your questions, comments and secret recordings... I'm all yours for the next hour.
Milwaukee Wisconsin :
Hey Whitney:
It looks like U2 will pick up a Grammy for best album. Does this make you happy. You did say you liked them alot.

Whitney Matheson:
Truth be told, I don't give a flying Fig Newton about the Grammys. Every year I watch them, and every year I'm disappointed. Too much hype and no reward.

If U2 did sweep tonight's ceremony, I wouldn't be disappointed... who doesn't love Larry Mullen Jr.? I'd much rather see them win than, say, Linkin Park.

As for the always-discussed best new artist category, I guess I'm pulling for India.Arie. What can I say, I liked her Gap commercial.Montgomery AL :
Hey Whitney, love your column! What ever happened to the Great Gazoo on the Flintstones? Did he ever make it home? Is he still floating around earth doing good deeds? Or did Fred sit on him? Please help, I am desperate to find out!

Whitney Matheson:
He lives in my attic. In fact, I'll probably split my P'zone with him later this afternoon.Orem, UT :
I hate John Gray. Why is he still around?

Whitney Matheson:
I have no idea, but I'll give you 10 points if you can tell me what the heck he's sitting on on his Web site (marsvenus.com). Is that some sort of stool? A broken globe? A timpani drum?washington dc :
although you make mention of the sports illustrated swimsuit issue, i sense that this is something that sickens you. as a guy, i used to enjoy it but honestly don't think the women are all that spectacular any more. yamila is certainly a beauty but since they lost laetitia casta, it's been all downhill.
therefore i am recommending that there be a whitney matheson calendar for the public to enjoy.

Whitney Matheson:
Yeah, I can see it now... me in my Hawaiian shirt and jelly shoes, sitting on a broken globe. What a huge seller that would be.

No, I'm not a big fan of the big swimsuit issue, but I did skim its pages the other day. Yawn.Flower Mound, TX :
With critics already bashing "Watching Ellie"...is it possible that Jerry Seinfeld was even greater than what we thought during the "reign of Sein" ? or have Michael Richards, JLD and George, (what the heck is his name?) not found the "right" work ?
Enjoy the day

Whitney Matheson:
I completely forgot about watching "Ellie" last night, so I can't really offer my review. But yes, the "Seinfeld" stars are going to have a hard time finding another hit --it takes the right combination of people for a show to work. I mean, "Becker" is no "Cheers." "Cosby" was no "The Cosby Show." It's not just the star who matters.arlington va :
hi whitney--
i have no idea what is nominated for grammys this year and really don't care since i don't listen to anything mainstream (like you, a huge old 97's fan). but do you think jon stewart can breathe any life into another humdrum awards show? that dude usually cracks me up. (i didn't see last year's.) also i think elvis costello is a presenter this year.

Whitney Matheson:
I'm sure Jon Stewart will land some zingers, but he's still hosting an awards show. Overall, he won't get very much screen time -- Bono and Alicia Keys will probably spend more time on camera.Sayreville, NJ :
Did you watch any of the Olympics? They pretty much bore me, but I found myself unable to resist the curling. I've seen it before but it still seems bizarre to me that there is an Olympic 'sport' that looks like it could be played in a bar room or on the deck of a cruise ship. But then again you could argue that it's more of a sport than all the competitions based entirely on judges.

Whitney Matheson:
I slowly got into the Olympics -- watching women's curling gave me hope that I, too, could be an Olympian someday. How hard could it be to move that little stick over the ice?

Unfortunately, I also watched way too much of the closing ceremonies on Sunday. Donnie and Marie?! Gloria Estefan?! I'm forever scarred.Frederick, MD :
Hi Whitney! Last night my daughter wanted to watch one of her favorite videos . . . "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". Here's my question -- is the elf that wants to be a dentist named "Herbie" or "Hermie" -- I think we heard it pronounced differently in different scenes. Thought you'd be "in the know" about this cultural/pop phenonmenon. Thanks.

Whitney Matheson:
According to the Internet Movie Database, it's "Hermey." Feel better now?Richmond, Virginia :
Good morning Whitney! I feel that I should share--I was have a very nice day today, very productive at work, as usual reading your column while on the telephone with inept field managers, when all of a sudden my pleasant day was interrupted by an wave of nausea the likes of which I haven't experienced since that night in DC at a farewell party. Why the sudden change you ask? All due to a mental picture... of Doctor Phil in a Speedo.... I now feel the need to schedule a meeting with a hypno-therapist to erase this image from my mind!!!

Whitney Matheson:
Sorry, it was either Phil in a Speedo or Martha Stewart in a thong. Phil won.Columbus, OH :
I wanted to see what all the noise about Lord of the Rings was about. (13 nominations!) Anyway - I never read the books and the fantasy stuff was never my bag but .... I loved the movie! It looked amazing and was an awesome story. Did you end up seeing it? Liking it? Do you think it has a chance to beat A beautiful mind (which I liked but not as much)?

Whitney Matheson:
Don't hate me, but I still haven't seen "LOTR." I know I'm being lame, but it's just so hard to psyche myself up for a three-hour movie! The last time I did, I ended up spending an evening in Knoxville, Tenn., staring at Anthony Hopkins in Nixon makeup. Tragic.Climbing out of Colchester, CT :
Did you see Buffy last night and do you have any idea where this season is heading? They seem lost in finding a theme for the season.

Whitney Matheson:
I was a little disappointed in last night's "Buffy." Then again, I have NEVER understood the attraction to Riley, so his guest appearance did nothing for me.

I thought Buff was headed for a year of lust and love, but now that seems kaput. Willow's addiction storyline was pretty short-lived. I don't know where this season is going, but I'm pretty excited to see next week's demonic wedding.Houston, TX :
Hey Whitney, So what did you think of Nine Stories you were reading last week? What books or authors along the same lines of that one would you recommend? Have you ever read anything by Barry Yourgrau? I just read The Sadness of Sex and thought it was hilarious, at least the stories that made any sense to me. Love your column. Thanks.

Whitney Matheson:
I have read "A Perfect Day for Bananafish" countless times, and it only gets better (and more perplexing). Right now a book of short stories by David Foster Wallace and a Woody Allen book are my nightstand.Tranquility Base, The Moon :
Two TV questions for you, if you please. First, did you catch the premiere of Watching Ellie, with Seinfeld veteran Julia Louise Dreyfuss? I did, and I'm still scratching my head as to whether or not it's a new and compelling format with possibilities, or if I shouldn't waste my time because it won't last two weeks.
Second, tomorrow night kicks off... you guessed it. Survivor Four: Marquessa. Are you even going to give it a chance, or has the whole Reality TV genre lost the bloom off its blossom for you? I'll confess, I'm going to lock myself in my room and watch, hoping nobody finds out.

The only reality shows I'm watching right now are "The Real World" (because it takes place in Chicago) and the "Real World/Road Rules" challenge thing. And even those shows are struggling.Grand Rapids, Mich. :
Hi Whitney! hope you're having a good week. Here's one for you, did you hear anything about the Queen of the Damned movie? Friends saw it the other night and said it was terrible...heard anything good or bad about it? Thanks!

Whitney Matheson:
It looks pretty awful to me... I still can't believe the dweeby guy from "Shooting Fish" plays Lestat. Who cast this film?St. John's, NF, Canada :
Hey Whitney,
It's Grammy night in the US, and in a couple of months, it is Juno night in Canada. I have been lucky enough to get tickets to see Barenaked Ladies, Alanis, Nelly Furtado, and Nickelback perform. What Canadian artists rock your world?

Whitney Matheson:
I was kind of into the Tragically Hip a few years ago. And aren't the Cowboy Junkies Canadian? I've always loved them. And don't forget the greatest Canadian musician who ever lived: Gordon Lightfoot.Washington DC :
Hi Whit....Ok ok...who will be the next loser child actor to resurrect their career on NYPD Blue? The guy that played Jody on Family Affair? Maybe Sipowicz could partner with Gary Coleman!! WHATCHU TALKIN BOUT ANDY???

Whitney Matheson:
I don't know, I bet Corin "Corky" Nemec is looking for work these days.Alexandria, VA :
Ok, be honest: what did you think of Riley's reapparence on last night's Buffy?

Whitney Matheson:
He still bores the life out of me... it appeared to be a one-episode stint, which makes me happy. He's hardly needed in Sunnydale.Alexandria, LA :
I'm a guy who wants to get an earring, but I am not gay. Can you tell me for sure if it's the left or the right for straight?

Whitney Matheson:
Come on, that reasoning is so '87! No one pays attention to that ridiculous rule anymore.arlington, tx :
how about scantily-clad men leaning on their girlfriends cars for a special edition of Low Rider magazine.
also, does sarah hughes look like Reba McIntyre to you too?

Whitney Matheson:
Now that you mention it... she does kind of resemble Reba. I think it's the teeth.Columbus OH :
What did you think of Riley's return last night on Buffy? i found it rather pointless but his wife seemed cool!

Whitney Matheson:
I will agree with you there -- whoever played Riley's wife was fabulous. But still, I'm glad they're gone.Yuma, AZ :
Had a chance to hear the new Alannis? Any good?

Whitney Matheson:
Just the new single. I read a review that mentioned one of her songs has the chorus, "I embrace you for your faith in the face of adversarial forces that I represent." Man, what a mouthful...Aurelia, Iowa :
Your Grammy picks tonight (for the BIG awards) please..

Whitney Matheson:
I'd say U2 and Alicia Keys will sweep all of their categories, although I'm thinking Bob Dylan may actually come away with Album of the Year.State College, PA :
Whitney: I would recommend the P-Zone. Easier on the colon that a greasy pizza! Join us!

Whitney Matheson:
If you say so... I just hope they can make a veggie P'zone. All of the ones advertised are filled with scores of mysterious meats.Washington, DC :
Okay, Whitney -- flash back to the Olympics Closing Ceremony . . . did you laugh out loud when they showed Donny and Marie singing "We Are Family"? I found it comical, to say the least! (Not to mention KISS!)

Whitney Matheson:
I didn't laugh, I cringed! What on earth were they thinking?Corning, NY :
There I was having a good, dare I say, an above average day, when the spectre of Dr. Phil in a Speedo is forced in front of my mind's eye. Thanks a bunch! Anyway, I'll let you make it up to me. After reading your and other recommendations, I would like to check out some David Sedaris. What book would you recommend I start with? Thanks!

Whitney Matheson:
Start with "Me Talk Pretty One Day" and work your way backward -- that's what I did. Let me know what you think!Bangor, Maine :
I caught some of "Watching Elle." There's a little clock in the corner counting down the seconds until the episode ends. It is the most annoying thing I've seen on television since AT&T inflicted Carrot Top on an unsuspecting nation. Oh yeah, and the show wasn't all that funny either. At least Jerry Stiller seems to be doing well for himself.

Whitney Matheson:
I must admit, I intentionally checked out the new episode of "The King of Queens" on Monday. And I laughed out loud. Forgive me.Atlanta, Ga :
Speaking of the Grammys and music, do find any similarities between bands like Linkin Park and their off-shoots to the hair bands of the late 80's. It seems like the youth/music industry of today are embracing image and not substance, say like in the early '90s.

Whitney Matheson:
Yeah, Linkin Park is kind of like Poison without the tight neon pants. Scary, eh?Mentor, Ohio :
Hi Whitney - As for your P'Zone question . . . tried it, not impressed. If you, like me, think sauce is the best part of pizza the P'Zone is lacking. They send the sauce on the side and you have to dip the darn thing in the sauce with out loosing its contents. Too much work, too little enjoyment. I'll take a regular slice thank you!

Whitney Matheson:
Now I'm torn. You'll have to tune in next week to find out what I ended up eating for lunch... I know that's not much of an advertisement, but I'd say it will at least be more exciting than tonight's Grammys.

Thanks for all of your comments this week! I'll return next Wednesday with a new column and chat.